The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-06-08
TWO PALMS.

Mrs. Van der Venter's soirees were fa-
nous. They were always small, invari-
ably select, and pervaded with subtle
charm, the result of the experience, the
rare good taste, of the hostess. Her
salons were large. Her trained sense of
artistic harmony had arranged the draw
ing-room suite into series of delightful
''interiors. Artists found nothing to
suggest in the appointment of these rest
ful, elegant apartments.
The hostess was woman of brains, a
widow, and forty-eight. She spent her
days in mixture of noble and frivolous
undertakings, maintaining a golden poise
somewhere between society and philan-
thropy, rendering excellent service to
both. Unrecognized genius, aristocratic
impecuniosity, undowered beauty, found
their way to her presence and her kind
ness as easily as fashion and fame.
On one midwinter night the soft lights
glowed through the length and breadth
of her house. Clad in some stately silk,
Mrs. Van der Venter stood at the salon
door, while a liveried footman announced
the arriving guests. Her cordial smile
and warm hand-shake welcomed each one
singly, and presently the hum of CONVEX
satlon rose to substantial measure. All
had arrived but one, Miss Lisette Dew
ing, who was finally announced by the
footman. She entered hastily, and was
affectionately greeted.
Forgive me if am late," she mur-
INJURED.
'Only late enough to give additional
n01nf n IN Ia1 ho
Van der Venter
As Emusic" had been mentioned on the
cards, the guests soon composed them
selves in attitudes of attention. Music
at Mrs. Van der Venter's was always of
kind to dispel ennui. A noted violinist,
celebrated vocalist. a great pianist,
performed in turn. Faint and well-bred
applause repaid each artist for the effort.
Then Mrs. Van der Venter stated that
she held u surprise in reserve in the per-
son of Mr.. Sutherland, the famous chiro-
mancer. Moving to the entrance hall,
Mrs. Van der Venter glided through the
portiere. She soon reappeared with her
hand on the arm of young blonde man
who looked quite harmless and benevo-
lent, which surprised those who had
heard of his extraordinary, one might say
his occult, gifts. To close observer
ceKaln crafty lines at the corners of the
eyes4ndicated habits of observation and
calculation that had become second nature.
He had in brief time, through the In
satiable desire of human beings to hear
about themselves, risen to be at once a
social lion and mystic power.
For this reason, when Mrs. Van der
inf % g..
each person prepared for the enticing
ordeal of moral scanning. Hands of
all shapes and sizes were barred. The
left escapes the marks of rough usage
and change, so chiromancy elects the left
hand for study.
An eager crowd clustered quickly
about Mr. Sutherland. One man only,
sarcastic smile curving his handsome lips,
stood aloof. A tall, striking figure, with
black hair tinged with gray Not height
alone gave him distinction, but certain
naughty bearing, which vanished in a
genial bOnhomie when he talked. He
looked skeptical, and felt so. This char
acter reading from hands was very good
sport for lot of girls, but he did not
dream of joining the students of the new
lore.
His face darkened into a scowl when
Lisette Dewing entered the group about
the Sofa His glances had wandered con-
stantly in her direction during the even
ing, but he had not approached her.
Her interest in him was expressed appa-
rently in one little cold stiff bow.
A popular society girl, without much
intellect, was the first to present her
hand. Mr.. Sutherland took it daintily,
and cast swift, keen glance at her smil-
ing, thoughtless face. His remarks were
evidently satisfactory, in spite of the
knowing smiles which passed among the
listeners. When he had finished, she
rose in futter and joined the sarcastic
observer at the hearth.
"Oh, Mr. Burlingame, it's positely
awful! He's so true He told me my
faults in way that quite frightened
me"
"What did he tell you, Miss Manton?"
queried Mr., Burlingame.
"Oh, he said that had very sound
nature. That would never do anybody
any harm, because couldn't; and that's
awfully true, you know. And that had
never been in love, and would make
somebody some day a very good wife,
and that | would surely marry rich. And
oh yes he tried very hard to trace it,
he did indeed, but he had to give it up,
and tell me that my head line seemed to
be scattered or dissipated, for it vanished
into nothing. Isn't that wonderfulm
The last remarks almost converted Mr..
Burlingame. Dear Dolly Manton's head
line had never appeared to anybody.
"He certainly seems to have made
points, " he responded, ambiguously.
"You must let him analyze you, Mr..
Burlingame. You are such a riddle TO
us girls, you know. You will, won't
you"
Mr.. Burlingame merely smiled as
burst of laughter rose from the crowd. "
Mr.. Sutherland held the red chubby